The Coroner's Court at Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos Island, has abruptly suspended the ongoing inquest into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege. Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji halted the proceedings following a directive from the Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), ordering a pause pending a meeting with all parties involved.
Magistrate Criticizes Attorney-General's Intervention
Magistrate Adetunji openly criticized the Attorney-General's intervention, describing it as improper and a violation of judicial independence. She stated, "I find it very appalling that the Attorney General of Lagos State will take such steps without informing the court. The court is not under the Ministry of Justice. The Attorney-General does not have the power, under the principle of separation of powers, to direct the court." She further indicated that she would report the development to the Chief Coroner, Justice Mojisola Dada, and would not set a new date for the inquest until further directives are received.
Court Proceedings Halted
Earlier, counsel from the Attorney-General's office, Adebola Araba, informed the court that he had been instructed to request a suspension of the day's proceedings, pending a meeting scheduled for May 12, 2026, between the Attorney-General and all parties. "I have been directed to inform the court that a meeting between the Attorney-General of Lagos State and all counsel in this matter has been fixed for May 12, 2026. We urge the court to suspend today's hearing and adjourn until after the meeting," Araba said.
However, counsel to the deceased's parents, Adeyinka Aderemi (SAN), objected, stating that the development disrupted arrangements already made for the hearing. He told the court that his team had earlier received a letter dated April 23, 2026, from the Attorney-General's office fixing a meeting for the same day at 2 p.m., only to be informed late Monday night that it had been rescheduled. "We believed the hearing would go on today and thereafter attend the meeting by 2 p.m. The parents are already in court, and they may not be available after Friday," Aderemi said.
Criticism of Handling
Aderemi further criticized the handling of the matter, arguing that the interests of the bereaved family were not being adequately considered. "If the Attorney-General is sincere about restorative justice, such a meeting should have been convened earlier. This last-minute change has truncated today's proceedings," he added. He also informed the court that the child's father was present and ready to testify under oath, expressing disappointment that the opportunity was lost due to the sudden directive.
Questions Over Communication
Magistrate Adetunji questioned why the Attorney-General's office communicated with parties without formally notifying the court. In response, Araba said he was unaware of prior correspondence and had only been instructed to relay the latest directive. Other counsel in the matter, including Abiodun Layonu (SAN), representing Atlantis Paediatric Hospital, and Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), representing Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, confirmed receiving letters dated April 23 and May 4, 2026, indicating the rescheduling of the meeting. They indicated their readiness to abide by the court's directive.
Background of the Inquest
The inquest, which commenced on February 25, 2026, is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Master Nkanu, who died on January 7, 2026. The child had initially been admitted at Atlantis Paediatric Hospital for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness before being referred to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital on January 6 for pre-flight medical procedures. He was being prepared for transfer to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States when he reportedly underwent diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line. However, he died in the early hours of the following day, sparking questions that led to the ongoing coroner's inquest.
